Encourage your students to take classes beyond the minimum required -- the preference is 5 solid academic classes each year.
If they are reluctant to take honors/AP courses, encourage them to take just one advanced class -- it is a good way to get used to the more demanding course work. The following year they might be comfortable taking more advanced classes.
Advise your students against having free periods or signing up to be a TA.
Course Requirements:
Understand the college prep courses required for CSU/UCs and help your students select courses to ensure they are, at a minimum, eligible.
Encourage them to re-take classes in which they received a D or F either in summer school, in an online credit recovery program offered by their school, or independent study. Students have until the end of summer of their junior year to repeat courses.
Math:
CSUs and UCs strongly recommend 4 years of math in high school.
There is a strong correlation between success in math and success in college.
Doing well in math helps their SAT/ACT test scores.
Reduces/eliminates the need for remedial math in college and reduces time and cost to graduate.
Important even if they are going to junior college.
Encourage them to talk to their math teacher to choose an appropriate math class for the next year.
Help them understand that in order for their math classes to be effective in the above -- helping their SAT scores, reducing time to graduate, and developing critical thinking skills -- they need to do more than just pass the class, they need to learn and understand the material.